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Cristiano shifted his gaze slowly around the dark room. Tired from talking to hundreds of people, interviews and jet lag needed a moment to rest before another round of photos and congratulations. Deep in the corner, against one of the walls, stood a couple of spare chairs. The perfect place to hide. He was already approaching one of them when he noticed a seated figure from the corner of his eye. He would have considered him a bodyguard and left him alone, but the white shirt was eye-catching. Without even knowing when he stood in front of the man, who, immersed in his thoughts, did not notice him at all.
"Your phone died?"
"What?" Several blinks finally helped to focus Gerard's eyes on the Portuguese.
"Don't you post anything on social media?"
Indifferent shrug.
"Maybe PR will arrange it for me later."
"Okeej" Cristiano concluded and looked more closely at the man. Nonchalant posture, glass in hand, and eyes without any spark of joy.
"You shouldn't drink so much…" Gerard rolled his eyes and snorted. A certain sentiment was awakened in Cris at this sight, so repetitive a few years ago when he tried to talk him out of more drinks. The shadow of a smile quickly changed to a serious expression. "When you're sad."
"Bullshit. I'm just tired."
"No, that's not it."
"What's your point exactly?"
"Innate curiosity. Since the award, you've completely died. I don't understand it."
"Are you stalking me?"
"Sniper instinct, always watching."
"Great, but go to your family maybe, the views there should suit you better."
"Is it the lack of Shakira that's got you in such a mood?"
"Ugh no. I'm very comfortable here alone." He said with an accent on the last word. "I'm resting."
"I've been looking for that too. I need a moment to regenerate."
"Feel free." Pointing him to a distant row of chairs. Cristiano leaned comfortably against the chair next to him. Gerard took a deep breath.
"It's amazing in its own way, don't you think?" He asked after a moment of silence.
"The awards gala or Dubai?" Asked indifferently.
"That we're at the end of our careers, several generations of footballers have passed, we've almost been swept away by a global pandemic. And we're still on top."
Snort.
"You know these are not serious awards?"
"And which ones are serious?"
"God! Golden balls or all those big rankings."
"They may be more important in status, but an award is an award, recognition is recognition. I'm not going to feel less appreciated just because I picked it up in Dubai."
"Cristiano" he looked at him doubtfully, "these are consolation prizes."
"Just because you think about them like that still doesn't change anything."
"The whole world thinks so."
"People talk a lot of stupidity."
"Do you really, uhhh fine, believe what you want, I don't have the energy for it. Congratulations on your award, this toast is to you."
"Thank you. The same to you! Congratulations."
Gerard just nodded and took a larger sip of his drink.
"So, you already got my attention. How much longer are you going to look at me like that?"
"I just- That contrast. From the video and now. From my memory. Where is your energy?"
"Ugh, what do you want me to do to make you happy? Jump into the circle with you?"
"Why do you want to please me?"
"To leave me alone."
"You're drinking drinks alone with a look on your face like you're at a funeral. That's what you call peace?"
"They should give you the award of the most stubborn man of this century."
"I would have received it with a smile on my lips if you think I deserve such recognition."
"Didn’t you say that what I think does not change anything?"
"It doesn’t change anything in my value, for me, it is simple: if someone gives me something, I enjoy it. I don't know why you make it so complicated."
"Then maybe go enjoy it with your fanatics. Post a selfie and count the likes."
"I've already done it."
"Wonderful."
"And now I want to enjoy it with real people."
"Go and search, Iker should still be here somewhere."
"That's not who I meant."
"Then go to the forum of Real Madrid, there they probably paint the diploma for you."
"And yet some things don’t change. Your irony goes out as the last of your feelings?"
"Exactly. So what are you still doing here?"
"I never give up, that's one of the things that got me here."
"And can't it take you to another table? I really don't feel like talking to people, Cristiano..."
"But why? It didn't bother you before. Lunches, business meeting."
"Because this is my world now. Business, not football. It's so much better, it's not poisoned by all that, the real rewards are the results you achieve and which people share your joy. I recommend it."
"You have the same thing in football, your fans-"
"Which ones? Those who wish I never come back from injury, or those who think that everything I have is bought with money or my name?"
"It motivated you before."
"Now I'm too tired. It is not worth wasting your energy on this."
"I got the hate too. You know it. Don't take it personally."
"You say that because you still have your people who are always on your side."
"It just only looks like that. You wouldn't want to see what Real fans write about me. How many of them turned me away because I wanted to-"
"Stop it! Don't compare these situations! You know what the fucking difference is? That they hate you because you walked away from them, and me because I still haven't done it. Have I satisfied your curiosity? And yes, I'm tired. And I'd rather not be here, so I don't have to endure more waves of pleasant comments." He paused when he felt he had raised his voice too much.
"That is what you're worried about?"
Gerard straightened up abruptly and looked at him furiously, if his leg wasn't braced he would have left the place a long time ago,
"Really? Do you care more about the opinion of frustrated anonymous than rational arguments?"
"What arguments?"
"Those at the nomination, your list of achievements, wins."
"Because I have a good team" he quoted ironically.
"In which you are still holding out."
Cristino saw that gaze.
"Okay, then look at it logically. If these awards are so worthless, then why do people in the comments give other suggestions? They get so excited about it that they have to comment. Probably to some extent, this award is influenced by the fact that they know you here. But recognition is also a component of a successful career. And you know very well that this is the case everywhere. Pushing by names. Dependence on others. Turning up marketing with people who need to be there after all."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"
"Gerard!" Even Cristiano was already losing patience. "They can hate you, and some people will always do it. But stick to what you have achieved yourself. And without that statue, you know that you have a sensational career. You know, you used to enjoy that there was every next match, accolade, nomination. And now you're bitching about the award because you don't like it. Oh God, you're more spoiled than I am!"
Throughout the monologue, Gerard gathered his energy for an argument until he burst out laughing. Cris's facial expression are too often too dramatic.
"You are… I'm speechless."
"Yeah, you see!" Cris said, proud of himself.
"Okay, I admit your will to win is impressive. It's just… I've told you what's going on before, so why all the talk?"
"Because information wasn't the goal."
"I don't understand. Then why are you bothering me so much? "
"Because I don't like to waste opportunities. If we can celebrate something together again, then let's do it. But we can't when you're pouting. So I have to make an effort and - He suddenly changed his tone completely - God even after 12 years I still have to preach to you!"
"And I still hate it! But... you know what's really amazing?"
"I'm afraid to guess."
"That it still works. That between us still works."
*